Miniature labeling apparatus

ABSTRACT

A printing mechanism, and a label tape feeding mechanism both actuated by a hand-pushed drive lever, and a roll of label tape, are enclosed within a compact case, whereby a lightweight labeler is obtained and can be used continuously for a long period without fatiguing the user.

United States Patent 11113,619,324

[72] Inventors YoSato [52] U.S.Cl 156/576, Tokyo-to; 156/384, 156/540 8010 Izumihara, Kawaguchi-shi; Haruo [51 Int. Cl 341m 1/40, Toda, Omiya-shi; Kiyoji Nagashima, Ageo- B32b 3 1/20 shi; EiichiMatsushima,Omiya-shi; Soji [50] Field of Search 156/384-388, Kojima, Kawagoe-shi; Reizo Watanabe, 540-542, 576 Omiya-shi; Kiyoshi Someno, l-lasudamachi, a" f Japan [56] References Cited 21 AppLNo. 836,901 UNITEDSTATESPATENTS 1 Filed 9826,1969 2,663,444 12/1953 Kaplan 156/576X 1 Patented Nov-9,1971 3,220,909 11/1965 KaplanetaL. 156/386 1 Assignee SatoKikoKabushikiKaisha 3,231,446 1/1966 Satas 156/384 M 3,265,553 8/1966 Kindetal. 156/384 Priorities y3,l968 3,342,662 9/1967 Grasmann.... 156/384 J p 3,440,123 4/1969 Hamisch 156/384 1 43/45914; 3,461,018 8/l969 Nagashima 156/384 Sept. 30, 1968, Japan, No. 43/71028; Feb. 24, 1969, Japan, No. 44/133775; June 4, 1969, Japan, No. 44/431370; June 4, 1969, Japan, No. 44/43871; June 5, 1969, Japan, No. 44/43570; June 7, 1969, Japan, No. 44/44945; June 10, 1969, Japan, No. 44/45607; June 10, 1969, Japan, No. 44/45608; June 11, 1969,Japan, No. 44/452493; June 12, 1969, Japan, N0. 44/45760; June 14, 1969, Japan, No. 44/415535 [54] MINIATURE LABELING APPARATUS 13 Claims, 67 Drawing Figs.

Primary Examiner- Benjamin A. Borchelt Assistant Examiner-James M. Hanley Attorneys-Robert E, Burns and Emmanuel J. Lobato ABSTRACT: A printing mechanism, and a label tape feeding mechanism both actuated by a hand-pushed drive lever, and a roll of label tape, are enclosed within a compact case, whereby a lightweight labeler is obtained and can be used continuously for a long period without fatiguing the user.

PAIENTEBNIN 91% 3,519,324

sum 02 or 33 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIllllllllll IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII/ PATENTEU 9 sum on HF 33 PATENTEDNUV 9 197i PATENTEnunv 9 Ian sum 07 or 33 PATENTEDunv 9 ISTI 3,519,324

sum [18 8F 33 PATENTEDunv 9 Ian SHEET 11 [1F 33 m m w wmw mmm PATENTEUunv 919" sum 15 0F 33 VIIIII'D.

I n Illllllliillo PATENTED V 9 l9?! SHEET 18 [1F 33 PATENTEDNUV 9 I97! SHEET -19 0F 33 FIG. 33 

2. In a compact labeler including a case, a roll of tape held within the case, manually operable driving lever means pivotally attached to said case, a printing mechanism operated by said drive lever means to undergo printing and return motions to print desired inscriptions successively on labels on the tape, and a label tape feed mechanism opeRated in response to said driving lever means to undergo reciprocation adapted to feed said tape by a length corresponding to one label per operational cycle, said label tape feed mechanism retracting during the printing motion of said printing mechanism thereby allowing the printing of a label, and advancing during the return motion of said printing mechanism thereby advancing the tape by said length for each operational cycle: the improvement comprising a grip frame connected to a lower portion of said case and extending outwardly therefrom, and a trigger member pivotally connected to said grip frame, means coupling said trigger member to said label tape feed mechanism and said printing mechanism for operating said label tape feed mechanism and printing mechanism upon manipulation of said trigger member.
 3. In a compact labeler including a case, a roll of tape held within the case, manually operable driving lever means pivotally attached to said case, a printing mechanism operated by said drive lever means to undergo printing and return motions to print desired inscriptions successively on labels on the tape, and a tape feeding mechanism operated in response to said driving lever means to undergo reciprocation adapted to feed said tape by a length corresponding to one label per operational cycle, said tape feeding mechanism retracting during the printing motion of said printing mechanism thereby allowing the printing of a label, and advancing during the return motion of said printing mechanism thereby advancing the tape by said length for each operational cycle; the improvement wherein said tape feeding mechanism comprises, in combination, an actuating member coupled to said printing mechanism for movement therewith, a tape feeding pawl rockably supported on said actuating member, spring means for urging said pawl into engagement with said tape, guide slot means mounted within said casing, and pin means connected to said actuating member and received in said guide slot means for causing reciprocal movement of said tape feeding pawl upon movement of said actuating member.
 4. In a compact labeler including a case, a roll of tape held within the case, manually operable driving lever means pivotally attached to said case, a printing mechanism operated by said drive lever means to undergo printing and return motions to print desired inscriptions successively on labels on the tape, and a tape feeding mechanism operated in response to said driving lever means to undergo reciprocation adapted to feed said tape by a length corresponding to one label per operational cycle, the improvement wherein said printing mechanism comprises support plate means, first and second printing means connected to said support plate means, means mounting said plate means for reciprocal movement within said case, said first printing means comprising a plurality of endless belts mounted on said plate means, and said second printing means comprising a carrier member connected to said support plate means, and printing plate means releasably held by said carrier member.
 5. In a compact labeler including a case having front and rear openings, a roll of tape held within the case, said tape consisting of a base strip having labels adhesively attached thereto, manually operable driving lever means pivotally attached to said case, and a tape feeding mechanism operated in response to movement of said driving lever means to undergo reciprocation adapted to feed said tape by a length corresponding to one label per operational cycle: the improvement wherein said tape feeding mechanism comprises, in combination, an actuating member pivotally mounted within said case and coupled to said driving lever means for pivotal movement thereby, tape feeding pawl means pivotally connected to said actuating member for advancing said tape, a first roller mounted within said case and forwardly of said pawl means, means for guiding said labels through said front case opening upon said advancing movement of said tape, means for guiding said base strip around said first roller and through said rear case opening, a sector gear mounted on said actuating member, a circular gear connected to said casing mounted for unidirectional rotation and disposed in engagement with said sector gear, a second roller connected to said circular gear for rotation therewith, leaf spring means connected to said casing for pressing said base strip against said second roller, whereby said pivotal movement of said actuating member causes said base strip to be discharged through said rear case opening.
 6. In a compact labeler including a case having front and rear openings, a roll of tape held within the case, said tape consisting of a base strip having labels adhesively attached thereto, manually operable driving lever means pivotally attached to said case, and a tape feeding mechanism operated in response to movement of said driving lever means to undergo reciprocation adapted to feed said tape by a length corresponding to one label per operational cycle: the improvement wherein said tape feeding mechanism comprises, in combination, means for guiding said labels through said front case opening upon advancing movement of said tape, means for guiding said base strip through said rear case opening, a grip frame connected to said case, a first lever pivotally connected at one end to said grip frame and at another end to said driving lever means, a trigger member slidably received in said grip frame, a connecting lever connected between said trigger member and said first lever, a sector gear pivotally mounted within said case, means mounted within said case for moving said sector gear upon movement of said trigger member, a second gear rotatably mounted within said case and disposed in engagement with said sector gear, and roller means connected to said second gear for rotation therewith to propel said base strip through said rear case opening upon rotation of said roller means.
 7. In a compact labeler including a case having front and rear openings, a roll of tape held within the case, said tape consisting of a base strip having labels adhesively attached thereto, manually operable driving lever means pivotally attached to said case, and a tape feeding mechanism operated in response to movement of said driving lever means to undergo reciprocation adapted to feed said tape by a length corresponding to one label per operational cycle: the improvement wherein said tape feeding mechanism comprises, in combination, means for guiding said labels through said front case opening upon advancing movement of said tape, means for guiding said base strip through said rear case opening, a grip frame connected to said case, a trigger member slidably connected within said grip frame and connected to said driving lever means for moving said driving lever means upon movement of said trigger member, said tape feed mechanism having a gear rotatably mounted within said case, a first rack connected for slidable movement to said driving lever means and in engagement with said gear, a second rack mounted for slidable movement within said case on a side of said gear opposite said first rack, and first and second pawl means connected respectively to said first and second racks for engaging said tape and said base strip, respectively, whereby said tape is advanced forwardly and said base strip is propelled rearwardly within said case.
 8. In a compact labeler including a case having front and rear openings, a roll of tape held within the case, said tape consisting of a base strip having labels adhesively attached thereto, manually operable driving means connected to said case, a printing mechanism operated by said driving means to undergo printing and return motions to print desired inscriptions successively on labels on the tape, and a tape feeding mechanism operated in response to said driving means to feed said tape by a length corresponding to one label per operational cycle, said tape feeding mechanism retracting during printing of saiD printing mechanism thereby allowing the printing of a label, and advancing during the return motion of said printing mechanism thereby advancing the tape by said length for each operational cycle: the improvement wherein said tape feeding mechanism comprises, in combination, a grip frame connected to said case and extending therefrom, a trigger member slidably connected within said grip frame, plate means disposed within said case and fixedly connected to said trigger member, first and second pawl means attached to said plate means spaced vertically relative to one another, each of said first and second pawl means having tape moving edges directed oppositely to one another, a fixed support plate connected to said case and disposed within said space between said first and second pawl means, said tape being received between an upper face of said support plate and said first pawl means for forward movement within said case, and said base strip being received between a lower face of said support plate and said second pawl means for rearward movement within said case, lever means pivotally connected to said case, means connecting one end of said lever means to said printing mechanism to operate said printing mechanism upon pivotal movement of said lever means, and cam means connected to said trigger member for engaging said lever means to pivot said lever means.
 9. In a compact labeler including a case having front and rear openings, a roll of tape held within the case, said tape consisting of a base strip having labels adhesively attached thereto, manually operable driving means connected to said case, a printing mechanism operated by said driving means to undergo printing and return motions to print desired inscriptions successively on labels on the tape, and a tape feeding mechanism operated in response to said driving means to feed said tape by a length corresponding to one label per operational cycle, said tape feeding mechanism retracting during printing of said printing mechanism thereby allowing the printing of a label, and advancing during the return motion of said printing mechanism thereby advancing the tape by said length for each operational cycle: the improvement wherein said tape feeding mechanism comprises, in combination, a grip frame connected to said case and extending therefrom, a trigger lever pivotally connected to said grip frame, lever means pivotally connected to said case and to said trigger lever, a cam and a rack attached to said tape feeding mechanism for slidable movement within said case, said cam being disposed for engagement by said trigger lever and for movement thereby, a base strip tensioning arm connected to said case beneath said tape feeding mechanism for engaging said base strip, a pinion fixed to said tensioning arm and disposed in engagement with said rack and holding means disposed upstream of said arm for holding said base strip, whereby said base strip is propelled rearwardly by said tensioning arm.
 10. In a compact labeler including a case, a roll of tape held within the case, manually operable driving lever means pivotally attached to said case, a printing mechanism operated by said driving lever means to undergo printing and return motions to print desired inscriptions successively on labels on the tape, and a tape feeding mechanism operated in response to said driving lever means to undergo reciprocation adapted to feed said tape by a length corresponding to one label per operational cycle, said tape feeding mechanism retracting during printing of said printing mechanism thereby allowing the printing of a label, and advancing during the return motion of said printing mechanism thereby advancing the tape by said length for each operational cycle: the improvement comprising a lever, means connecting said lever to said case for rotation in response to movement of said driving lever means, and pin means pivotally connecting said lever to said printing mechanism for rotating said printing means about said pin means upon rotation of said lever.
 11. In a compact labeler including a case, a roll of tape held within the case, manually operable driving lever means pivotally attached to said case, a printing mechanism operated by said drive lever means to undergo printing and return motions to print desired inscriptions successively on labels on the tape, and a tape feeding mechanism operated in response to said driving lever means to undergo reciprocation adapted to feed said tape by a length corresponding to one label per operational cycle, said tape feeding mechanism retracting during printing of said printing mechanism thereby allowing the printing of a label, and advancing during the return motion of said printing mechanism thereby advancing the tape by said length for each operational cycle; the improvement comprising label applying means including a support frame connected to said case, and a plurality of curved bands disposed in parallel and each having one end fixedly connected to said support frame to extend outwardly of said case, whereby said bands provide a label pressing surface.
 12. In a compact labeler including a case, a roll of tape held within the case, manually operable driving lever means pivotally attached to said case, a printing mechanism operated by said drive lever means to undergo printing and return motions to print desired inscriptions successively on labels on the tape, and a tape feeding mechanism operated in response to said driving lever means to undergo reciprocation adapted to feed said tape by a length corresponding to one label per operational cycle, said tape feeding mechanism retracting during printing of said printing mechanism thereby allowing the printing of a label, and advancing during the return motion of said printing mechanism thereby advancing the tape by said length for each operational cycle: the improvement comprising label applying means including a shaft connected to said case, a plurality of pressing elements each having a shoe shaped form and being mounted on said shaft, and spring means resiliently urging each said pressing element in the same direction, whereby said pressing elements provide a label pressing surface.
 13. In a compact labeler including a case, a roll of tape held within the case, manually operable driving lever means pivotally attached to said case, a printing mechanism operated by said drive lever means to undergo printing and return motions to print desired inscriptions successively on labels on the tape, and a tape feeding mechanism operated in response to said driving lever means to undergo reciprocation adapted to feed said tape by a length corresponding to one label per operational cycle, said tape feeding mechanism retracting during printing of said printing mechanism thereby allowing the printing of a label, and advancing during the return motion of said printing mechanism thereby advancing the tape by said length for each operational cycle: the improvement comprising label applying means including a shaft connected to said case, a coil spring wound around said shaft to provide a plurality of spring coils spaced resiliently from said shaft, whereby the outer peripheral faces of said spring coils provide a label pressing surface. 